Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLCM) and 3Com Corporation have announced a
strategic co-branding agreement for 3Com to OEM and jointly market
Polycom's wired IP desktop and conference phones. The companies
also intend to include future integration in areas such as voice over
wireless LAN (VoWLAN), mobility and integration of other popular
business applications such as CRM and VoIP security.
This announcement augments Polycom's distribution channels to
include 3Com's network of resellers and distributors, including a
worldwide community of service providers who offer both IP trunking and
hosted VoIP services. This news also adds to 3Com's portfolio
Polycom's HD Voice lineup of phones, which enrich the customer
communications experience with high definition voice quality that
quadruples that of traditional landline phones.
"The combination of 3Com's strong distribution network
with Polycom's voice technology expertise makes this the ideal
solution for our customers," said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice
president and general manager of Voice Communications for Polycom.
"Our voice solutions will bring the richness of HD Voice quality to
3Com customers, affording them crystal clear communication that greatly
improves productivity. We also share a vision with 3Com of providing
open, non-proprietary solutions to our customers. And with the addition
of 3Com as a strategic distribution and technology partner, we look
forward to deepening our relationship by expanding our efforts into key
areas such as wireless and business productivity applications."
Polycom phones will be seamlessly integrated with all 3Com VoIP
platforms, including the newly announced 3Com(R) VCX(TM) Connect 100,
VCX Connect 200 and 3Com Asterisk Appliance, as well as its existing
3Com VCX Enterprise system, including a 3Com IP Telephony Solution for
IBM System i. 3Com's family of IP Telephony servers are used by
companies of all sizes worldwide.
"The addition of Polycom's voice solutions to our
portfolio of 3Com IP telephony solutions and handsets will enable us to
offer customers a wide range of choices to meet their unique
communications needs," said Bipin Mistry, vice president of
3Com's voice business. "Coming on the heels of our
introduction of the new 3Com VCX Connect platforms and the 3Com Asterisk
Appliance, this partnership means that organizations with as few as five
employees will enjoy the same robust VoIP offering as those with
thousands of employees. With its technical innovation, expertise, and
market leadership, Polycom is a natural partner for us. 3 Com is looking
forward to the integration of Polycom's family of Wi-Fi and DECT
phones into our VCX product lines, which will provide our Wi-Fi
infrastructure customers even still greater choices when it comes to
complete, turnkey IP telephony solutions."
The co-branded 3Com/Polycom phones will be generally available for
purchase through 3Com North American channels beginning in November 2007
and are expected to be available on a worldwide basis no later than Jan.
1, 2008.
About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation is a leading provider of secure, converged voice
and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers
a broad line of innovative products backed by world-class sales, service
and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers.
3Com also includes H3C Technologies Co., Limited (H3C), a China-based
provider of network infrastructure products. H3C brings high-performance
and cost-effective product development and manufacturing and a strong
footprint in one of the world's most dynamic markets. Through its
TippingPoint division, 3Com is a leading provider of network-based
intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application
protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection.
For more information, visit http://www.3com.com or call
508/323-1101.
Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with
leading telephony, workplace wireless telephony, and presence-based
networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products,
alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart
choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive
advantage from on-demand communications and collaboration.
For more information, call 800-POLYCOM or 303/583-5342 or visit
http://www.polycom.com.
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